Coin control and credit register mechanism



Feb. 10, 1948. J. J. TQ-QLAN 2,435,933

COIN CONTROL AND CREDIT REGISTER MECHANISM Filed Feb. 20, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb 10, 1948. .1. .1. TOOLAN 2,435,933

COIN CONTROL AND CREDIT REGISTER MECHANISM Filed Feb. 20, 1942 4 Sheetsheet 3 Feb. 10, 1948. TQQLAN 2,435,933

COIN CONTROL AND CREDIT REGISTERMECHANISM Patented Feb. 10, 1948 COIN CONTROL AND CREDITREGISTER MECHANISM John J. Toolan, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application February 20, 1942. Serial No. 431,623

a Claims. 1

This invention relates in general to coin control apparatus, and more particularly to novel registering means for accumulating the total value of one or more coins of different denominations, which may be employed specifically to determine the operative period or number of operations of any desired machine or mechanism, such as an automatic phonograph.

Prior art devices have been provided for this purpose, including some which effect operation of the controlled mechanism in accordance with the value of coins of different denominations, but these employ electrical means for transmitting the different values to other electrical means associated with the controlled mechanism in stepby-step operations, each such operation corresponding to a particular unit of value.

A principal object of the instant invention is to eliminate such electrical means by providing means for directly controlling the operative period or number of operations of a desired mechanism, which control means is operated, in response to the deposit of coins of different denominations, in single accumulative actions of different degrees corresponding respectively to the difierent denominational values of the deposited coins.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel registering means which is selectively operable in single accumulative actions of diiferent predetermined values, and is reversely operable for returning the same to zero or normay position in step-by-step actions of units value.

A further object of the invention is the provision of novel coin actuate-d control means for such registering means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means automatically operable to prevent operation of such coin actuated control means by any extraneously applied force other than that afforded by the coins properly presented for operation thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in combination with registering means adapted to be mounted for actuation in a certain structure to insure the proper operative positioning thereof as determined by the indicating means.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a front elevational view of a complete unit embodying the features of the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device of Fig. l with parts broken away and other parts omitted;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the control and credit register or accumulator mechanism forming a part of the invention, as seen from the right side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail horizontal section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail vertical views showing the credit and control register mechanism in different positions of operation;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are detail elevations, respectively, of the three dfferent register elements of the control and credit register or accumulator mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the latch pawl lever;

Fig. 12 is a perspective of the yoke or latch releasing lever; I

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one of the stop pawl levers;

Fig. 14 is a perspective of the right-hand portion of one of the coin actuated or register control levers;

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections between one of the instant units and an automatic phonograph or other mechanism controlled thereby; and

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic plan view of an automatic phonograph embodying the unit of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the embodiment of the invention disclosed therein constitutes a coin control and credit register mechanism designated generally by reference numeral 2| which comprises a backing or main supporting plate member 22 upon which are separately mounted in predetermined relatomatic'phonograph or other suitabl machine as shown in the diagrammatic illustration. of Fig 16, or may be located remote from the machines which is to be controlled thereby. Since it is essential to the proper operation. offtheacoin' handling mechanism or coin-deposit mean -23" .v

-sloping-surface-of a buffer block or lug 43 disthat the same be accurately maintained in-true vertical position, the following novel means are provided for adjustably mounting, thewbackin-g; plate 22 on the supporting structure 26.

A horizontally disposed screw or bolt. 2|- (Figa- 1) functioning as a main pivotal support for theubacking plate 22 jextendsi-therethrough :into the -supportingstructure .26.:' A second screw-or bolt 28, which extends through a suitableslot 2B in the backing plate 22; and. into thesupporting -structure 26-,functions to rigidly retain. the unit 2| in properly adjusted .or operative position on (the stationary supporting structure. Adjustment-of the unit-2| relative'toithe supporting structure 26 about the pivotal supportingbolt 21 is accurately accomplished by a screw3 extending through a suitableta-pped aperture in a flange 32 0f thebacking plate22 and contacting a lug 33 provided on the supporting structure 26.: De termination ofthe: correct. vertical positioning of theunit 2| ishad. from; an indicating meansor level 34 rigidly secured to the front plate of: the coin handling mechanism 23,.

Theapurposeszand functions of the --coinhandling; mechanism or: coin,,-deposit1means 23 are to receive coins of dilferent denominationsusuch as; nickels, dimes andquarters, guide: and direct genuine coins of such denominations through different paths-of. movement -therethrough,::and;rreturn or rejectspurious for counterfeit;coins,,-so aszrto. present eachgenuine deposited coin of a particular denomination at: a special. operative delivery station. Itwillbe understood that any coinhandlingdevice capableof so operating will -function properly incooperation .withthe inits functions, particularly in cooperation with the remaining elementsof the present invention,

Briefiy,;the operative partsofw the coin-handling mechanism, or coin deposit unit 23Ziare mounted upon a front plate 35 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is secured atits upper end by screws. 38 to, brackets 3l bentforwardly from the backing plate 22. The lower end of the unit23is'hld in proper position onthe backing p1 ate22 by a stud screw 38, secured to a rearwardly'extending flangeofutheiront plate 35; which screw engages in a suitable slot provided in a forwardly extending flange 39 struck from. the .plate' 22. Coins may bedeposited, in the unit'23'through a, suitable slot-o-rapertu'rc 4|- at. the upper. end there- Of. (Figs. 2 and 16) which is'sufiiciently wide to accommodate coins up to and including the size of a quarter.

Rotatably mounted below the slot 4| (Figs. 1 and 2) is a selector device 42 having two arms provided, respectively, with forwardly extending flanges or1ips-43 and-44yand a third arm with a weight 45 thereon (Fig. 2) The lips 43 and 44 extend forwardly across the entire width of the slot 4| and are normally retained in their .positions of-thedrawings adjacent the ends of theslot by the weight 45. When a coin of smaller diameter than a quarter is dropped into the slot 4| ,='it will pass downwardly between the lips or-=flanges 43 and-=44 to strike the right-hand posed below the slot 4| and be deflected laterally to, theright therefrom. When a quarter is dropped in the slot, however, it will be engaged by-the lips 43 and 44, ,in the manner illustrated in broken lines in Figal, whereupon the weight of. thecoin resting; uponthe lip 43fwi-ll rotate thevsorter, 42icoun'terclockwise against the action ofthe Weight 45;. As the lip 43 fis thus rotated to a position adjacent the lug 45,- the quarter will fall from the selector 42 and be directed toward the .leftiof the lug. 45 and through' a path represented by the broken line :41: in Fig 1 toa dclivery station 48 at the forward left-handcorner of the unit'23.?

The dimes and nickelsdisposed in the slot 4|, which. do :not I effect any operation-pfthe: selector device 42 are directed-along different 1 paths of movement, respectively;- through. the unit 23 in the following manner:: A deflector -plate-or anvil .49 (Figs. 1 and: 2)" is disposedwbehin'd the front plate 35 'tovtheiright otthe lug 4fii'andis so shaped and spaced therefrom that it'will be struck by nickels' deflected by the -lug idiiwhile dimes deflected by lug -48 will cle'ar or fall :un-

--der this-deflector plate 49'. Consequently; the

times aWi1]itake the path-represented by..=the broken line 5 l; in Fig; -1 and :be directed bysuitable guide'means to a delivery station :52 spaced to the rightand to the rear of the quarterde livery station 48'; The nickels, onthe other hand,

are. deflected by the platedilto following-a path through the unit represented by the broken iline 53; with the aid of suitable guide means including another deflector-plate or..anvil- 54; and-are directedato a delivery station at the'=-lcwer.left

hand corner ofthe-unit behind the delivery-stale tion 48 and spaced rearwardlyofthe dime -delivery station 52.

Means of well-known character are provided in-theunit 23 for preventing-the arrival at the different genuine coin --deliv'er-ystations oi -any spurious or counterfeit coins, slu'gs;-orthe-like, which are disposed inthe slot -4|'; This means, asillustrated in *Fig-.-- 1, includes the -an'vils or buffer blocks 45; 43 and '54,-=which *function in the usual manner-to cause spurious 'coinsto be deflected to greater or lesser degrees--of--movement than genuine coins; magnets 55,- -55-and 51; which set' up localized magneticfields of high concentration in the pathsof movement of the quarter-"(4'1)", 'nickels 53) and dimes 5| respecposit means or coin handling apparatus is disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,064,- 425, No. 2,073,260, and No. 2,073,261, issue to John Gottfried. The rejected coin delivery station 62 communicates at its lower end with a suitable return chute 63. The coin handling mechanism or coin deposit means 23 thus functions to automatically guide all genuine coins of different denominations which are deposited in the slot 4| to their respective delivery stations, i. e., the quarter delivery station 43, the nickel delivery station located to the rear thereof or the dime delivery station 52, and to reject all spurious or counterfeit coins deposited in the slot 4i and direct the same into the return chute 63.

As previously stated, the specific manner of accomplishing this desired result of delivering genuine coins to different points in accordance with their denominational value, and preventing the delivery at such points of spurious or counterfeit coins, is a part of the present invention only so far as the accomplishment of this function is concerned. In other words, any coin handling or coin deposit means which will accomplish this result is adaptable for use with the following elements of the present unit.

The auxiliary coin receiving and guiding mechanism 24 comprises a separate unit rigidly mounted upon the backing plate 22 below the coin handling unit 23 and so positioned relative thereto as to cooperate with the previously described coin delivery stations. The unit 24 (Figs. 1 and 5) comprises a front plate 64 and a rear plate 65 secured together and to the backing plate 22 in spaced relationship to. each other and to said backing plate in the following manner. Between each of the plates 64 and 65 are disposed a plurality of spacing members or sleeves 66 (Fig. 5), with each one of which is axially aligned an internally threaded spacer or tapped sleeve 6'! in turn interposed between the rear plate 55 and a flange 68 struck forwardly from the main supporting plate 22. A screw 69 extends through a suitable aperture in each of the flanges 6B and is screwed into the associated tapped sleeve 6'! to secure the latter to the backing plate 22. Similarly, bolts H extend through suitable apertures in the plates 64 and 65 and through each of the "sleeves 65 for threaded engagement with the respective tapped sleeves 6'! to secure the plates 64 and 65 thereto. The relative arrangement of these several retaining means is best illustrated in Fig. 1. A U-shaped channel member 12 is secured in any suitable manner to the rear surface .of the front plate 64 to provide a coin receiving and guiding slot l3. Disposed rearwardly of the channel member 12 is a similar U-shaped channel member 14 which is secured in any desired manner to the front surface of the rear plate (iii to provide another coin receiving and guiding slot 15. A third coin receiving and guiding slot H5 is provided to the right of the coin slot 75 by means of another U-shaped channel member I! similarly secured to the forward surface of the rear plate 65. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the upper end of the coin slot '16 is disposed between the coil .slots I3 and 15, while its lower end is longitudi nally aligned with the slot 15 by virtue of the- .13, 15 and I5 are disposed directly below. and in vertical alignment with the quarter delivery station 48, the nickel delivery station, and the dime delivery station 52, respectively, of the coin handling unit 23. Consequently, any genuine coins deposited in the receiving slot 4| of the unit 23 will be delivered thereby to the proper slots 73, 1-5 and 76, depending upon the denominational value of the respective coins. Means are provided in association with each of the coin slots 13, 15 and for controlling operation of the control and credit register or accumulator unit 25. In each instance, this control means comprises a lever having an end portion extending transversely of the coin slot to be actuated by any coin passing downwardly therethrough, and these levers, although forming an integral part of the accumulator unit 25, will now be described in conjunction with their operation as determined by the coins delivered to the auxiliary coin receiving or guiding mechanism 24.

The front and rear walls of the several members forming the coin slots 13, 15 and 16 are each provided with arcuately shaped apertures 18. The left-hand end portion of a longitudinally extending lever 19 is bent forwardly as best illustrated in Fig. 5 to clear the front plate 64, and terminates in a rearwardly extending portion 8| which passes through the arcuate slots 18 provided in the front plate 64 and channel 12. The end 8| of the lever 19 thus extends from front to rear across the quarter receiving slot 73 of the unit 24. The left end of a similar lever 82, which extends longitudinally adjacent the rear surface of the rear plate 65. terminates in a forwardly bent portion 83 passing through the apertures 18 associated with the dime receiving slot 15 to traverse the latter. Similarly, the left end of a third lever 84 terminates in a forwardly extending portion 35 which extends through the apertures l8 communicating with the nickel receiving slot 15. Each of the levers I9, 82 and 84 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a horizontal shaft 86 provided in the accumulator unit 25 (Figs. 1 and 4) in a manner to be later more fully described. Whenever a quarter, dime or nickel is delivered to the auxiliary coin receiving or guiding mechanism 24, it will ass downwardly through its respective slot 13, 16 or T5 to strike the bent end portion 8|, 83 or of the associated lever 19, 82 or 84 to carry the same downwardly, as permitted by the arcuate slots or apertures 18 The left-hand end wall of each of the coin slots 13, 15 and 16 is cut away at its lower end for a substantial distance, as indicated at 87 in Fig. 1, to permit any coin passing downwardly through the slot and carrying the left end of the associated lever 19, 82 or 84 therewith to clear such lever and fall downwardly through the lower open end of the slot. After any such operation, the coin actuated levers or register control levers i9, 82 and 84 are returned to their normal or uppermost position of Fig. 1 by springs which will later be more fully described.

Means are provided for insuring maintenance of the bent end portions of the levers 19, 82 and 84 in proper registry with their respective coin receiving slots '13, 16 and 15 and for guiding such coin actuated pivotal movement of the levers. In the case of the quarter actuated lever 19, this means comprises a vertically disposed U- shaped wire 88 (Figs. 1 and 5), the leg portions of which are disposed respectively in front and in back of the lever 19 and spaced a short distance therefrom. The upper bent portion of the wire 88 is secured Y to a forare spaced along the shaft to cooperate respectively with the three register wheels IOI, I02 and I03. As seen best in Fig. 13, each of these stop pawl levers I3I, a1l three of which are identical, is provided adjacent its upper end with a bifurcated bearing or hub portion I32 having suitable aligned apertures for engagement of the shaft H6. The hub portions I32 of the stop pawl levers I3I are of such a width as to fill the space on the shaft II6 between the retaining collar I2I and the main portion of the latch pawl lever I I4, together with suitable spacing washers disposed therebetween (Figs. 3 and 4). The upper end of each of the stop pawl levers I3I extends at an angle'upwardly from the shaft I I6 and terminates in a rearwardly disposed shelf I 33 adapted to engage the teeth II3 of the associated register wheel. Coil springs I34 (Figs. 2, 3, 6 and 7) are attached at their lower ends intermediate the ends of each one of the stop pawl levers I3I and at their upper ends to a pin I35 secured to and extending forwardly from the rear frame plate 96. The shelf portion I33 of each 'of the stop pawl levers I3I is normally held out of engagement with the teeth II3 of the associated re ister wheels in a manner to be later described, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, and each spring I34 is adapted to swing its stop pawl lever I3I in a clockwise direction about the shaft II6 to engage the shelf I33 with the teeth of the associated register wheel asillustrated in Fig. 6.

The right-hand end portions of each of the coin actuated register control levers I9, 82 and 84 are identical and include a bifurcated hub portion I36 having suitable aligned apertures in the leg portions thereof for rotatably engaging the shaft'86. As best seen in Fig. 3, these hub portions I36 of the coin actuated levers I9, 82 and 84 are maintained in proper spaced relationship relative to each other on the shaft 86 by suitable retaining collars I31 and I38 together with spacing washers interposed therebetween. The right-hand end of each of the coin actuated register control levers I9. 82 and 04 extends upwardly and rearwardly from the shaft 86 and includes a forwardly bent construction of the right hand portion of each of these levers I9. 82 and 84, the latter being shown therein. The shelf portions I39 of the several levers I9. 82'an'd 84 are disposed in cooperative relationship respectively with the lowerends of the several sto pawl levers I3I (Fig. 3). A coil spring I4I (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 6 and '7) is connected at its left-hand end to the transverse part of each of the hub portions I36 of the sever l levers I9. 82 and 84and at the ri ht-hand end to a rod I42 extend ng forwardly from and secured to the rear frame plate 96. The springs I4I normally maintain the coin actuated register control levers 19. 82 and 84 in their normal position of rest of Figs. 1 and 7. wherein the left-hand bent end portions of the levers are dispo ed adjacent t e top of their associated coin rece ving slots I3. I6 and I5. The springs MI in resiliently mainta ni g such normal position also function. through the agency of the shelf portions I39 of the levers. to maintain the three stop pawl levers I3I in their inactive position of Figs. 1 and '7 in which the upper ends thereof are out of engagement with theteeth II3 of the several regis er wheels I 0|, I02 and I03. The shelf portions I 39 of the levers I9, 62 and 84 also lie to the right of and in enga ement with the lowermost transverse portion of the yoke or latch releasing lever H9,

Operation of the above described mechanism 10 of the control and credit register or accumulator 25 in response to the deposit of genuine coins of different denominational values in the slot M of the coin handling unit 23 is as follows. If a nickel is deposited in the slot 4I, it will be delivered to the slot I5 of the auxiliary coin receiving or guiding mechanism 24 in the manner previously described to swing the control lever 84 in a counter-clockwise direction about the shaft 86. Such swinging of the lever 84 will result in the shelf portion I39 at the right-hand end thereof being moved to the left away from the lower end of the associated stop pawl lever I3I to permit its spring I34 to swing the same in a clockwise direction about the shaft III-i to engage the shoulder I33 thereof with the periphery of the units register wheel I 0| At the same time, the shelf portion I 39 of the lever 84 will swing the yoke lever I I9 from its position of Fig. '7 to its position of Fig. 6 against the action of the sprin I28. 'Such swinging of the yoke lever I I9 will carry the shoulder II8of the latch pawl lever II4 out of'engagement with the units register obtaining between adjacent teeth I I3. In other words, downward movement of the left end of the control lever 84 first causes engagement of the associated shelf I 33 with the peripheral face of one of the teeth I I3 before the shoulder III! of the latch pawl lever H4 is moved to release position to permit a partial rotation of the register wheel by the spring I06. This partial rotation will be less than the space of one tooth I I3 but sufficient to move the radial surface of the tooth previously engaged by the shoulder I I8 past the latter, and will be terminated by engagement with the shoulder I33 of the radial surface of the tooth II3 associated therewith. Subsequent return of the lever 84 to the normal position of Figs. 1 and 7 by its spring I4I then permits reengagement of the latch pawl lever II4 with the units register wheel MI by the springs I24 and I28 and disengagement of the shoulder I33 of the associated stop pawl lever I3I from the register wheel by the action of the spring I4I overcoming that of the spring I34. The spring I06 is thus enabled to complete the positive unit of actuation imparted to the register wheel IIlI by continuing the movement of the same to engag the radial face of the next tooth II 3 with the shoulder II8 of the latch pawl lever H4. The accumulator of position, such actuation of the units register' wheel IOI will be accompanied by similar rotation of the wheels I02 and I03 through an increment equal to a single unit of value by virtue of the pin I01 moving with the wheel IN and the springs II2 maintaining the upper ends of the aperture I08 and I09 in engagement therewith.

Similar actuation of the register control lever 82 by a genuine dime deposited in the slot 4! will result in positive actuation. of the several register wheels I01, I02 and I03 equal to twice the degree of rotation thereof resulting" from operation of the control register 00 in the following manner. The. control lever. 02 operates or causes operation of. the. latch pawl lever H14 and the stop. pawl lever It'll associated with the. second register wheel I102 in exactly the same manner as previously described relative to operation of the control. lever 80. In other words, operation of the. control lever- 02- permits rota tion of the second register wheel I02 through only a single unit of rotation. At the same time however, it is only counter-clockwise rotation of the second register wheel i022 which is thus limited. to an increment equal to a single unit of value, and the latch pawl lever H0 is released from the units register wheel I0! in the previously described manner by depression of the left end of the control lever 02. The units register wheel IN is thus free to lee-rotated by the actuating spring I00 through a greater degree, unless otherwise prevented- Its degree. of rotation under these circumstances, however, is. limited by thev pin H11 and the aperture 30 in the. second register wheel I02. Consequently, while the second register wheel 502 is limited upon. depression of the left. end of the control lever 02 to a single unit of actuation, prior to returnof the control lever 82 to normal. position.

by its spring I41 with the resultingreeng-agement of thelatch pawl lever IM with the units.

register wheel. IOI, the actuating spring I06 will continue to rotate the units register wheel. I0]: until stoppedby the pin I01 engaging the lower end of the aperture. L03. The. aperture I00 is made of just suflicient length relative to the diameter of the pin I01 to permit. the units register wheel. IOI to be rotated an additional amount equal to a second unit of value. After reengagement oftoe latch pawl II4 with the units register wheel IOI upon return of the control .lever 82 to normal position, the stop pawl lever I3I asso ciated. with the second register wheel I02 is disengaged therefrom against the action of its spring I34. During such relative movement by the units reg ster wheel IOI and the second register wheel I02 in excess of the single increment of movement of unit value imparted to the wheel I 02, the spring II2 associated with the latter will be extended by; the pin I01. Consequently, upon release of the wheel I02 by its stop pawl lever I-3-I when the control lever 02 is returned to normal position. this spring II2 will funct on to further positively rotate the second register.

wheel I 02 to reengage the upper end of the aperture I0 8 with the pin I01. During such actuation of the register wheels IOI and I02, no restraint has been placed upon movement of the th rd register' wheel I0 3. As a result, this wheel I03 has also been moved through a double increment of rotation: by virtue of its spring H2 maintaining the upper end of the aperture 000 to a degree equal to five. times that resulting from operation of the control lever-84, Such actuation of the accumulator unit under the con-- 12 trol of the lever 19 is illustrated inv its entirety by Figs. 1, 6 and 7. In Fig. 1, the several operative parts are shown in their normal position; with the three register wheels I:0.l I02 and I03: in their initial or zero position. Depression of the control. lever 19 by a genuine quarter. de-' livered to the coin slot 13 in the manner previously described will result in counter-clock.- wise movement thereof to the position illustrated in Fig. 6. During this operation of the controllever 10, the-stop pawl lever I-3I' associatedjtherewith is first released by the shelf portion B0 to permit engagement of its shoulder I33 with the. sloping surface of a tooth I I3 of the third register wheel I03 by the associated spring I 34;. Immediately thereafter, the shelf portion I39: of the control lever 19 swings the latch releasing lever II9 a sufficient distance in a clockwise direction about the shaft H6 against the action of the spring I28 to move the shoulder II8: of the latch pawl lever: II4 against the action of the spring I24 to releasethe same from engagement with the units register wheel IOI. As .aresult, the third register wheel I03 is permitted to be rotated a very short distance which is somewhat less than an increment of rotation of. unit value, and is then stopped in the position: illustrated in Fig. 6 by engagement of the radial portion of the next tooth I I3 on the periphery of the wheel with the shoulder I33. Since the stop pawl levers I3I associated with the registerwheels IOI and I02 remain in normally disengaged position and the latch pawl lever H0 is moved tov release position, the spring t0fi'is thus enabled to impart a rotative movement to the.

units register wheel: iilI- which is limited only by engagement of the rod I01 with the lower end of the aperture I09 in the restrained register wheel I03. As illustrated in Fig. 6, such move, ment of the units register wheel I0-I- will he accompanied by similar movement of the. second register wheel I02 by virtue of itsspring I !2 carrying the same along with the rod I01;v

Also, since they rod I01 has thus been moved from its position of Fig; 1 toits position of Fig.

of the latch pawl I'M by the spring I20 into engagementwith the units register wheel I0'I. After such engagement has been effected, the stop pawl lever I3I associated with the third register wheel I03 is disengaged therefrom against the action of its spring I34. Such disengagement of the third stop pawl lever I3I permits the spring II2 associated with the register wheel I03. to positively rotate, the latter until the upper end of the aperture I03 therein engages the rod I01. In this manner, the three register wheels I-0I, I02 and I03 of the accumulator unit have a multiple positive actuationimparted thereto by the spring I06- which is equal to five times the single unit of movement imparted thereto under the control of the lever 84. The extent of this movement is determined by the; length of the aperture I00 in the register wheel I03, so that it will be readily appreciated that the same may be varied to; equal, any other 13 multiple value by making the aperture I 09 of different length.

It will thus be seen that the three coin actuated levers I9, 82 and 84, together with the operative parts of the accumulator unit associated therewith, are operable in response to the deposit of coins of different denominations in the slot M to control single accumulative actions of different degrees of the accumulator unit by the spring I06 corresponding respectively to the different denominational values of the deposited coins. It will also be understood that repeated operations of the different control levers I9, 82 or 84, or successive operations thereof, will cause successive positive actuations of the accumulator unit by the spring I86 to rotate the register wheels thereof in a counter-clockwise direction for a distance equal to the total denominational values of the coins deposited. In other words, if a' nickel is deposited in the slot M, the accumulator unit will receive only an actuation equal to a single unit of value, while the deposit of either a dime or a quarter in the slot M will cause positive actuation of the accumulator through multiple degrees of movement equal, respectively, to either two times or five times that of the unit value resulting from the deposit of a nickel. Likewise, the successive depositing of a nickel, a dime and a quarter will result in the spring I03 rotating the accumulator unit a distance equal to eight units of value, but such accumulative actions will be imparted thereto in only three separate movements each of different extent, rather than eight successive step-by-step movements of equal extent.

In order to avoid fraudulent operation of the above described apparatus, itis essential that the accumulator unit be operable only under the control of the levers I9, 82 and 84. It is also an important feature that these control levers be operable only when the unit 2I as a whole is mounted in correct vertical position. Means are provided for accomplishing these functions, with particular stress being laid upon the feature of preventing actuations of the control levers I9, 82 and 84 by application of a blow or other sharply delivered force to the unit 2I or its supporting structure 22. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, this means comprises a plurality of locking plates I43 (Figs. 1 and 3) freely pivotally mounted adjacent their upper ends in spaced relationship to each other upon a suitable stub shaft I44 carried by the rear frame plate 96. Each of these locking plates I43 is provided with a depending tailpiece I45, the right hand vertical surface of which normally rests against the lower spacer rod 91 due to the center of gravity of the plates I43 being disposed to the right of their pivotal mounting upon the stub shaft I44. Each of the locking plates I43 is also provided with an arm I45 extending to the left thereof and terminating in an upwardly bent portion normally underlying a shoulder I41 formed integrally with and extending rearwardly from the rear leg of the yoke or latch releasing lever II9. With this arrangement, a sharp blow delivered against the right side of the instant unit, for example, which might conceivably result in downward movement of the long left-hand end portions of the levers I9, 82 or 84 will also cause the locking plates I43 to be swung in a clockwise direction about the pivot I44. Such swinging of the locking plates I43 will project their bent arms I46 into the path of movement of the shoulder I41 of the yoke I4 lever II9 to prevent swinging of the lower end of the latter to the left, which will prevent downward movement of the left ends of the control levers I9, 82 and 84.

In order to enable the accumulator unit 25 to control the operation of the desired machine or mechanism with which it is to be associated, the following means are incorporated therein. A horizontally disposed and insulated pin I48 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) is secured to and extends rearwardly from the units register wheel IOI. In the normal or zero position of the accumulator unit, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the pin I43 rests against the upper end of a spring contact member I49 which, together with a stationary contact member I5I, comprises a switch I52 for controlling the operation of the automatic phonograph or other machine with which the instant unit is intended to be used. As soon as any one of the control levers I9, 82 or 84 is actuated in the manner previously described to permit rotation of the accumulator, the pin I48 will be removed from engagement with the spring contact I49 to permit the latter to engage the contact I5I to close the switch I52. This will result in initiation and operation of the machine controlled by the instant unit in a manner to be later more fully described.

Means are also provided as a part of the accumulator unit 25 for returning the register wheels IllI, I02 and I03 to normal or zero position after actuation thereof. This means is electrically operated so as to be controlled by operation of the automatic phonograph or other mechanism with which the instant device is employed, in a manner to be described hereinafter, and comprises a solenoid I53 (Figs. 1 and 3) mounted by means of a bracket I54 upon the rear frame plate I56 above the register wheels. Pivotally mounted adjacent its upper end upon an extension of the bracket I54 is a lever I55 which comprises the armature of the solenoid I53. A coil spring I56 (Fig. 1) is secured at its left end to the upper end of the lever I55 and at its right end to an upward extension I5'I of the bracket I54. The spring I55 functions to normally maintain the lever I55 in inactive position against a stop I58 secured to and depending from the bracket I54. Pivotally mounted adjacent the lower end of the lever I55 and extending therethrough is a pawl I59 which is normally held against a stop I6I disposed therebelow by a spring I62 interconnected between the left end of the pawl and a finger I63 struck out from the lever I55. Counter-clockwise movement of the lever I55 by the solenoid I53 against the action of the spring I56 will result in engagement of one of the teeth I I3 of the units register Wheel IN by the pawl I59 to rotate the wheel IIH in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 1. The extent of actuation thus imparted to the units wheel IOI by the pawl I59 is limited by a stationary stop I64 extending forwardly from the rear frame plate to an increment equal to a single .unit of value. Successive operations of the lever I55 by the solenoid I53 will thus result in stepby-step negative actuations of the accumulator unit to return the same to initial or zero position. The solenoid I53 and associated mechanism thus constitute means for zeroizing the accumulator unit comprising the register wheels IllI, I02 and I93. As seen in Fig. 3, the pawl I59 is disposed in transverse alignment and cooperates only with the units register Wheel IDI, and the negative actuation of the wheel IIlI thereby is transmitted-.to-the second andthird numeral wheels: IISiZ-and I 53 bysthe pin IiI'I. Each negative actuation of the wheel (lot by thepawlwe as limited by the stop I64 is just sufiicient to rotate the wheel ifiIxtarenoi-igh to bring the next adjacenttooth M3 thereof into active: engagement with the latch pawl i M, so that the latter functions to prevent return of the register wheel by the :springIiiG. :Such step-by-step zeroizing of the accumulator unit by the pawl I5 also functions to rewind, the positive actuating spring I525. When'the accumulator unit has received sufficientanegative actuationaeach of units value, to return :the a same to normal or zero position, the pin-I48 will: becarried. back into engagement with the spring contact member I49 to move the lat-teroutvof engagement with the contact I5I to open the switch I52.

In view'of-the arrangement ofthepin I58 and the cooperating con-tact member M9, it is necessary-to; prevent the accumulator unit from having; a completettrotation imparted thereto. This function: is accomplished'by providing a stationary-stopi55 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) extending forwardly from the rear frame plate 95 against which the pin Idsnimpingesto limit the positive actuationof the accumulator unit by the spring I85.

As previously noted, thecoin control and. credit register unitiof theinstant'invention may be employed-specifically to I determine the. operative period or' number of operations of any desired machineor mechanism-such as an automatic phonograph. "In Figs. '15 and 16, the present unit 2 I is diagrammatically illustrated in combination with an automat c-phonograph of the type disclosed in U. S. Letters" Patent No. 2,159,834, issued May 23,1939, toPiI-I. Smyth, Jr. 'In'these figures the same-reference letters are employed to designatetheseveral operating parts ofthe automatic phonograph as are used in the Smyth patent. Briefly, the phonograph mechanism includes a turntable G for rotatably supporting a selected record in playing position relative to a tone arm H wh ChiS clcCt i aH-y connected in the usual manner to any desired type of sound reproducing mechanism. A- mounting assembly I is provided for supporting a plurality'of pivoted, ring-shaped record'carriers or trays J which are arranged one above another in stack relationship and are sw-ingable to and from cooperative relationship with the turntable G. The several movable parts of the mechanism are actuated by a main driving can-1M which is rotated by an electric motor N, and a second electric motor 0 is provided for controlling the operation of the automatic phonograph to effect the playing of any one or more of the records carriedby the. several trays J. Which records :are to be played is determined by manually operable selector means V, and automatic control mechanisms" indicated by the referencecharacters Y and Z are included for effectingcompletion of" each cycle of. operations of the machine.

As'shown in Fig.1:1'5, the switch I52 of the instant accumulator unit 25 is connected by a suitable conductor TI 56to one side 5510f the mainline or source of electrical energy, and the other side of the switch I52 is connected by a conductor I68'to one sideof the control device Z. The control device Z 1 comprises a switch which is normallymaintained in closed position by one of the'cam surfaces of the main driving camlvl, and'the other si'de-cf'this control device is connected by a conductor I fifl to one-side of the main driving motorN, The othersideot the motor-N;

is connected to the remaining side =I-I I of the main line or source ofenergy. The turntable: mctorfO is separately connected in the :circuit by. a-:con-- ductor 'I'E Z- leading from theconductor I 58 and a conductor H5 connected to the main linev III.

The control device Y comprises a normally open switch, one side of'which is connected'byi a lead We to the conductor I68, whilethe-otherside is connected by a lead I'E5-to the-conductor I69. Another normal-1y open switch H5 is provided which is connected at one side by alead I'I'Hio the conductor Hi5 and at the other side by a lead M8 to one side of the solenoid I53 incorporated in the accumulator unit 25. The otherside of the solenoid I53 is connected by a lead I19. to the conductor E55. The switch I16 is normally held in open position by a notched disct8l which permits the same to be temporarily" closed and then reopened justprior to the completionofeach cycle of operations. of the phonograph mechanism, the disc I8I forming apart-of the main driving cam M.

The operation of the automatic phonograph mechanism under the control of the accumulator unit 25 is as follows. As previously described,

deposit of nickel, dimeor quarter .in'the slot M of the unit 2i results in a positive actuation of corresponding degree being imparted to the accumulator wheel iii! to initially close 'the switch 552. This results in energization of "the main motor N and the turntable motor 0 through the circuits represented in Fig. 15 by the conductors 555, I68 and IE9, and-the conductors "I'I2'and'I13,

respectively. Delivery of the first record selected by the manually operative means V is accomplished by the main driving cam M operated by' the motor N, in the manner described inPatent No. 2,159,834, during'the first half revolution of the cam. At such time, the control device or switch Z is opened to deenergize the main motor N, and the latter remains in such condition during the playing of the selected record. During the playing of the record, the tone a'rm' H is swung in a counterclockwise direction by virtue of the needle carried thereby following the sound track in the record, and as the playing of the record is completed, the control device comprising the switch Y is closed by the tone arm. This reenergizes the main driving motor N by completing a circuit therethrough comprising the conductors i'M, I63 and I66 and I15 and IE9. This causes the main cam M to be rotated for the second half of its cycle, which initially closes the switch Z, causes the return of the tone arm 'H to reopen the control device 'Y and returns the selected record to its associated tray J and moves the latter back into stack relationship. Just prior to the completion of the cycle of operations, the notched disc ISI permits the temporary closing of switch I16 which, through a circuit com-- prising the conductors ITI, and the conductors H5, I'iS and I65, temporarily energizes'the'solenoid I53. As previously described, energization of the solenoid I53 swings the lever I55 against the action of the spring I58 to cause the pawl I59 single unit-of positiveactuation .has been im- If only a parted to the accumulator by virtue of the deposit of other coins in the slot 4|, the above described cycle of operations of the phonograph will be automatically repeated until such time as the accumulator unit is completely returned to normal position by successive negative step-by-step movements resulting from energization of the solenoid IE3 at the end of each cycle of operations.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, coin deposit means having a plurality of discharge openings and including means for selectively directing coins of different sizes deposited in said deposit means to respectively different discharge openings, a units ratchet rotatable through any of successive equal steps each corresponding to the coin size of unit value receivable in said coin deposit means, actuating means for imparting variable degrees of movement to said units ratchet, means for normally restraining said units ratchet against operation by said actuating means, control means associated with the discharge opening through which coins of unit value size are directed, and actuated by said coins for operating said restraining means to enable said actuating means to impart a single unit of movement to said units ratchet, a plurality of other ratchets mounted for movement relative to said units ratchet, means interconnecting said unit and other ratchets for permitting relative movement between said units ratchet and each successive one of the other said ratchets in degrees corresponding respectively to particular multiples of the movement imparted to said units ratchet as determined by said control means, and other control means individually associated with the other of said discharge openings and said other ratchets and actuated by deposited coins of different sizes and higher denomination for releasing said restraining means and for preventing movement of their associated ratchets to enable said actuating means to impart single movements to said units ratchet in degrees corresponding to the sizes of the deposited coins as determined by said interconnecting means.

2. In a machine of the class described, coin deposit mean including means for guiding coins of difierent sizes therethrough, a member movable by coins of the size having minimum value receivable by said coin deposit means through a number of units of movement corresponding to the number of coins of such size for accumulating the number of units of movement corresponding to the total number of coins of the size having minimum value deposited in said coin deposit means, actuating means for imparting variable degrees of movement to said member, means for normally restraining said member against movement by said actuating means, control means associated with the one of said guiding means through which operative coins of the size having minimum value are directed for actuation thereby for operating said restraining means to enable said actuating means to impart a single unit of movement to said member, a movably mounted second member, means interconnecting the first' said member and the said second member for adapting the latter for movement with the first said member, and other control means associated with another of said guiding means and the second said member and actuated by deposited coins of different size and higher denomination for releasing said restraining means and controlling the movement of the second said member to enable said actuating means to impart single movements to the first said member in degrees corresponding to the sizes of the deposited coins.

3. In a device of the class described, an accumulator comprising a ratchet wheel constituting a register element, means for actuating said ratchet wheel, means for controlling the operation of said actuating means, means for mounting said accumulator in a predetermined position, and means automatically operable to restrain operation of the control means for preventing operation of said actuating means whenever said accumulator is in any but said predetermined position, comprising freely pivoted means swingable between an inactive position and a restraining position relative to said control means and having a member restrainingly engageable with said control means when said freely pivoted means is in its restraining position.

4. In a device of the class described, an accumulator comprising a ratchet wheel constituting a register element, means for actuating said ratchet wheel, means for controlling the operation of said actuating means, means for mounting said accumulator in a predetermined position, and means automatically operable to restrain operation of the control means for preventing operation of said actuating means whenever said accumulator is in any but said predetermined position, comprising pivoted means swingable between an inactive position and a restraining position, and held by gravity in its inactive postion when said accumulator is in said predetermined position and restrainingly engageable with said control means when said pivoted means is in its restraining position.

5. In a device of the class described having coin deposit means including separate coin discharge openings and means for guiding coins of different sizes therethrough, rotatable means movable through a number of units of movement respectively corresponding to the difierent sizes of coins received in said coin deposit means for accumulating the number of units of movement corresponding to the total number of coins deposited in said coin deposit means, separate means individually associated with each of said discharge openings and respectively engageable and operable by deposited coins of difierent sizes passing through the associated discharge openings to cause the operation of said rotatable means for accumulating the number of units of movement corresponding to the total number of deposited coins, and automatically operable means for preventing the operation of said separate means by an'extraneously applied force, comprising freely pivoted means swingable from a normal inactive position to a restraining position relative to said separate means by the force of a blow or the like applied to the exterior of the device and having a member restrainingly efigageble' with said separate means when said. freely tiiv'otd means is in its restraining position.

JOHN J. TOOLAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number W Name Date Weser Apr. 14, 1908 pundquist 1 Dec. 22, 1914 Webb -1 July 25, 1933 Number 

